Police caught bouncer with heroin, court told

A bouncer who claims he was hit in the face with a bottle by the Chelsea footballer John Terry made up his story because he desperately needed £70,000 after being caught by police with 5kg of heroin, a court was told yesterday.

Trevor Thirlwall, 28, who claims he was attacked by Mr Terry, his Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris and the Wimbledon player Des Byrne at the Wellington nightclub in Knightsbridge, central London, was accused by defence lawyers of being a "thug" who ended up in jail after being caught with the heroin – claims that the bouncer denied.

Desmond de Silva QC, representing Mr Terry, accused Mr Thirlwall of lying, saying: "The story you have given this court that John Terry bottled you in the left side of the face is a complete fabrication.

"I'm suggesting that's been done by you to get him convicted and make a claim against him." He went on to accuse Mr Thirlwall of having spent a term in Brixton and Belmarsh prisons. Mr Thirlwall denied all allegations, saying Mr de Silva had got his "facts completely wrong".

"I have never been in desperate need of anything. I'm quite happy in life," he said.

The judge declined to verify any of Mr de Silva's accusations. The trial continues.